Flint replaceable lighter

Abstract

The invention is a flint replaceable lighter. In a preferred embodiment the invented lighter includes a lighter body including means for containing fuel. Fitted upon it is a striker wheel assembly including a striker wheel, a striker wheel support superstructure into which the striker wheel is inserted and a hollow support shaft disposed below said superstructure. A flint is loosely disposed in the support shaft, with the upper end of a spring inserted in the support shaft below the flint. The spring urges the flint against the striker wheel above it. When the user removes the spring, the spent flint may be removed and a new one inserted into the shaft. The spring is then reinserted into the shaft as well. The lighter body is outfitted with a means for releasably receiving the striker wheel assembly. In a preferred embodiment orientation means are disposed on the striker wheel assembly and the receiving means for assuring that said striker wheel assembly is received by said receiving means in a correct orientation. When the striker wheel assembly is inserted into the receiving means, it is then swivelled into its operational position.

I claim: 
     
       1. A flint replaceable lighter comprising: a lighter body including means for containing fuel;   a striker wheel assembly including a striker wheel, a striker wheel support superstructure into which said striker wheel is inserted, a hollow support shaft disposed below said superstructure, a flint loosely disposed in said support shaft, a spring having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of which is releasably disposed in said support shaft and abutting against said flint so as to urge it into contact with the striker wheel above it;   receiving means fitted on said lighter body for releasably receiving said support shaft of said striker wheel assembly;   orientation means on said striker wheel assembly and said receiving means for assuring that said striker wheel assembly is received by said receiving means in a correct orientation,   wherein said shaft has a lower end with an inwardly extending flange having an internal diameter which is larger than said flint's diameter and smaller than said spring's external diameter, and wherein said shaft has an internal diameter above said flange which is greater than said spring's external diameter, whereby said flint and said flint spring are precluded from falling through said lower end of said shaft under their own weight.   
     
     
       2. A flint replaceable lighter comprising: a lighter body including means for containing fuel;   a striker wheel assembly including a striker wheel, a striker wheel support superstructure into which said striker wheel is inserted, a hollow support shaft disposed below said superstructure, a flint loosely disposed in said support shaft, a spring having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of which is releasably disposed in said support shaft and abutting against said flint so as to urge it into contact with the striker wheel above it;   receiving means fitted on said lighter body for releasably receiving said support shaft of said striker wheel assembly;   orientation means on said striker wheel assembly and said receiving means for assuring that said striker wheel assembly is received by said receiving means in a correct orientation,   wherein said orientation means comprises a projection extending outward from said shaft and a slot formed in said receiving means, which slot corresponds to said projection.   
     
     
       3. The lighter of claim 1 wherein said inwardly extending flange has a height and wherein said spring has a pitch which is greater than said height. 
     
     
       4. The lighter of claim 2 wherein said receiving means comprises a platform having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said slot is formed in said platform such that it passes through both said upper and lower surfaces, said platform having a protrusion extending downward from said lower surface, said protrusion acting so as to interact with said projection such that once said projection of said support shaft is passed through said slot, said striker wheel assembly may be rotated in only one direction. 
     
     
       5. The lighter of claim 1 wherein said orientation means comprises a projection extending outward from said shaft and a slot formed in said receiving means, which slot corresponds to said projection.